Getting a job offer opens up a whole new world of professional possibilities. But it’s not always easy to accept that offer if it means moving out of state.
While embarking on a new adventure can sound appealing, there are a lot of factors to consider before deciding if uprooting your existing life to build a foundation somewhere new makes sense for you. Carefully weighing all your options can help you make the right decision — and help you maintain morale as you transition to a new job and location.
Write a Pros and Cons List
It’s a simple technique, but a really effective one when you’re faced with a tough decision. Sit down and brainstorm all the advantages and disadvantages of moving out of state for a new job.
Pros might include better career growth, higher salary or more professional opportunities. It could also include things like lower cost of living, better weather or more access to experiences you enjoy. Cons might include a lack of a social circle or a difficult time staying in touch with friends and family that you leave behind.
Whatever the pros and cons are for you, write them all out and then put them side by side. You may find that one heavily outweighs the other, making your choice a little easier.
Consider the Emotional Toll Moving Can Take
If the positives stack up higher than the negatives, that doesn’t mean you won’t face very real downsides when moving out of state. For most people, there will be emotional hardships. In your new home and job, you may miss the comfort of familiar things and the support of close friends and family.
Moving could mean you face a lot of loneliness, which can impact your performance at your new job. Before you dive into the opportunity headfirst, ask yourself a few questions:
- How will you rebuild a social circle or community?
- Can you stay in touch with friends and family back home?
- Will it be hard to travel back and forth if you find the need to do so?
Factor in Your Goals
Think about your out-of-state move in the context of your goals. What do you want to create in your life? If it’s a high-powered career and this move gives you upward mobility and more opportunity, the sacrifices might be well worth it. They might also be worth it if the new job is in a place you’ve dreamed about living. But if your goals center more on putting down roots or maintaining your existing relationships, moving for a new job might not make sense.
Make a Plan
If you’ve decided to accept the job, making a plan can ease your transition and set you up for success in your new role and location.
Make sure you fully research all possible moving costs and budget accordingly. Look up neighborhoods and scope out which ones might feel like home. Feeling good about your neighborhood can make a real difference as you settle in.
Draft ideas on how you’ll make new friends. Look up things to do and consider making a “new home” bucket list. You can research potential groups you’d like to join. If you can, reach out to future coworkers.
And remember, you can move back home. If you try moving out of state and then realize it wasn’t the right move for you, that’s perfectly okay. Now that you’ve moved once, moving back again will be a cinch.
